Accessories add so much more than you see

There is an extreme difference between getting dressed and being dressed.  Think about a catwalk for a moment, even if the designer doesn't make shoes they borrow them, they borrow jewellery and belts and everything they need to complete their vision.  As style is actually never about the clothes.  The devil as they say is in the barely noticed detail, this is what separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. You can fundamentally alter the use of an outfit, with the accessories you are wearing with it, before you think about shoes.

There is a reason that a shop like Liberty's has a scarf room,  and there is a reason that almost every brand has an accessories range.  They will make or break an outfit, they also tend to be slightly cheaper items so that you can buy into a brand without mortgaging your underwear.  Here is the secret to great style though, don't match your accessories - it looks really over done.  You've seen that woman, the one sponsored by Gucci print - YUK!  (If I was doing that much advertising I would want to get paid.)  So how do you do it successfully?  

The first thing I would say is, it takes time to build a collection, which is what you should consider your items.  Don't rush out and spend a fortune - put in some time to find things that you love, so that your investment will pay dividends.  Sales are a great time to pick up accessories as they tend not to be so obviously trend inspired, I'm very tactile so textures are important to me, last New Year I bought a few Faliero Sarti scarves and I would say they are one of my best purchases bar none.  They are functional and stylish, not to mention the fact people always comment on how wonderful they look.  Also have you considered accessories are a way of changing a very boring outfit into something much more inspired.  I used to have to wear black for work, all black no deviation - we all did.  I can't tell you how boring I found it, until I started to see it as a challenge and then a game, how much variation could I get into an outfit within the rules?  I discovered that a necklace can change the focus of a collection of clothes and turn it into something different.  A belt can break the line of a dress, which will alter it without stitches.  A scarf can add a more interesting neckline to a t shirt, upgrading it to business attire.  On top of all of this the use of accessories makes others pay more attention and impresses them, not because they can't do it but because they wouldn't think to.

So the second secret of style is think it through, dare to wonder - what would happen if?  You might be very surprised as to where you end up.